Chaos erupted near the end of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg tie against Atletico Madrid, as Diego Simeone appeared to push Gunners chief Andrea Berta
Diego Simeone appeared to push Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta near the end of the Gunners’ Champions League win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Atletico manager Simeone cut a disgruntled figure on the touchline as his team tried and failed to find a late leveller at the Emirates Stadium. And the Argentine’s frustration boiled over when ex-Atleti chief Berta, who worked alongside Simeone for more than 12 years in Madrid, tried to get the attention of referee Daniel Siebert.
As the clock ticked into the fifth additional minute in stoppage-time, Berta wanted Siebert to blow the full-time whistle, and it’s safe to say that Simeone was far from pleased with the Arsenal chief. Indeed, Simeone came charging across from his technical area to confront an animated Berta before pushing him back to the tunnel.
Staff from both teams separated Simeone and Berta before the UEFA fourth official stepped in to calm the situation. Simeone then walked back to his dugout and ushered instructions to his side as they tried to score an equaliser.
Atletico were trailing 2-1 in the tie and 1-0 on the night after Bukayo Saka scored a first-half opener for the Gunners. Saka tapped home from close-range after Leandro Trossard’s effort was palmed out by Jan Oblak.
Simeone’s side had chances in the second half to level, with Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth having the best of those, but they were unable to take them and exit the competition at the semi-final stage.
